Volvo Considering Sending Concept Coupe To Production

Posted on 27th September 2013

The positive reviews of the Volvo Concept Coupe, which bowed at the Frankfurt auto show earlier this month, will prompt the Swedish manufacturer to take a closer look at a possible production run. Initially, company executives said that the concept’s foremost function was to preview the new design language created by chief designer Thomas Ingenlath. A production version was ruled out. But Volvo isn’t quite so adamant about that anymore.

Germany’s Auto Bild broke the news that Volvo is contemplating bringing a production version of the Concept Coupe to market. A company executive tells us that a production-spec coupe based on the concept is under consideration, but launches of the upcoming XC90 SUV, the S90 sedan, and the V90 station wagon are the brand’s priority. These models will utilize a new, scalable front- and all-wheel drive platform and be powered by a new family of four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. Should the coupe move forward, it, too, would make use of these components.
A production version of the Concept Coupe would follow in the footsteps of the 1977–1981 262C, a chopped version of the 260 series; as well as the 1986–1990 780, a standalone coupe based on the 760’s architecture. Italian coachbuilder Bertone manufactured both the 262C and the 780, and also styled the latter model. Speculation that Bertone might also build the possible upcoming coupe is unfounded, according to a source at Volvo.